Difference between revisions of "Vagueness"
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==Origin== | ==Origin== | ||
French ''vague'' or [[Latin]] vagus wandering, inconstant, [[uncertain]], etc | French ''vague'' or [[Latin]] vagus wandering, inconstant, [[uncertain]], etc | ||
| − | *[ | + | *[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/13th_century 13th Century] |
==Definitions== | ==Definitions== | ||
*1a : not [[clear]]ly [[expressed]] : stated in indefinite terms <vague accusations> | *1a : not [[clear]]ly [[expressed]] : stated in indefinite terms <vague accusations> | ||
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*5: not sharply [[outlined]] : hazy <met by vague figures with shaded torchlights — Earle Birney> | *5: not sharply [[outlined]] : hazy <met by vague figures with shaded torchlights — Earle Birney> | ||
==Description== | ==Description== | ||
| − | The term '''vagueness''' denotes a [[property]] of [[concepts]] (especially [ | + | The term '''vagueness''' denotes a [[property]] of [[concepts]] (especially [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Predicate predicates]). A concept is vague: |
*if the [[concept]]'s extension is unclear; | *if the [[concept]]'s extension is unclear; | ||
*if there are objects which one cannot say with [[certainty]] whether belong to a [[group]] of objects which are identified with this [[concept]] or which [[exhibit]] characteristics that have this predicate (so-called "border-line cases"); | *if there are objects which one cannot say with [[certainty]] whether belong to a [[group]] of objects which are identified with this [[concept]] or which [[exhibit]] characteristics that have this predicate (so-called "border-line cases"); | ||
| − | *if the [ | + | *if the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sorites_paradox Sorites paradox] applies to the [[concept]] or predicate. |
In everyday [[speech]], vagueness is an [[inevitable]], often even [[desired]] [[effect]] of [[language]] usage. However, in most specialized [[texts]] (e.g., [[legal]] [[documents]]), vagueness is distracting and should be avoided whenever possible. | In everyday [[speech]], vagueness is an [[inevitable]], often even [[desired]] [[effect]] of [[language]] usage. However, in most specialized [[texts]] (e.g., [[legal]] [[documents]]), vagueness is distracting and should be avoided whenever possible. | ||
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Vagueness is [[philosophically]] important. Suppose one wants to come up with a [[definition]] of "right" in the moral sense. One wants a definition to cover [[actions]] that are clearly right and exclude actions that are clearly wrong, but what does one do with the borderline cases? Surely, there are such cases. Some [[philosophers]] say that one should try to come up with a definition that is itself unclear on just those cases. Others say that one has an interest in making his or her definitions more precise than ordinary [[language]], or his or her ordinary [[concepts]], themselves allow; they recommend one advances precising definitions. | Vagueness is [[philosophically]] important. Suppose one wants to come up with a [[definition]] of "right" in the moral sense. One wants a definition to cover [[actions]] that are clearly right and exclude actions that are clearly wrong, but what does one do with the borderline cases? Surely, there are such cases. Some [[philosophers]] say that one should try to come up with a definition that is itself unclear on just those cases. Others say that one has an interest in making his or her definitions more precise than ordinary [[language]], or his or her ordinary [[concepts]], themselves allow; they recommend one advances precising definitions. | ||
| − | Vagueness is also a [[problem]] which arises in [[law]], and in some cases [[judges]] have to [[arbitrate]] regarding whether a borderline case does, or does not, satisfy a given vague [[concept]]. Examples include disability (how much loss of [[vision]] is required before one is legally [[blind]]?), [[human]] life (at what point from [[conception]] to [[birth]] is one a legal [[human being]], protected for instance by laws against [[murder]]?), adulthood (most familiarly reflected in legal ages for driving, drinking, [[voting]], consensual [[sex]], etc.), [[race]] (how to classify someone of mixed racial [[heritage]]), etc. Even such apparently unambiguous [[concepts]] such as [[gender]] can be subject to vagueness problems, not just from [ | + | Vagueness is also a [[problem]] which arises in [[law]], and in some cases [[judges]] have to [[arbitrate]] regarding whether a borderline case does, or does not, satisfy a given vague [[concept]]. Examples include disability (how much loss of [[vision]] is required before one is legally [[blind]]?), [[human]] life (at what point from [[conception]] to [[birth]] is one a legal [[human being]], protected for instance by laws against [[murder]]?), adulthood (most familiarly reflected in legal ages for driving, drinking, [[voting]], consensual [[sex]], etc.), [[race]] (how to classify someone of mixed racial [[heritage]]), etc. Even such apparently unambiguous [[concepts]] such as [[gender]] can be subject to vagueness problems, not just from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transsexual transsexuals]' gender [[transitions]] but also from certain genetic conditions which can give an [[individual]] both [[male]] and [[female]] biological traits (see [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intersexual intersexual]). |
| − | Many [[scientific]] [[concepts]] are of [[necessity]] vague, for instance species in [[biology]] cannot be [[precisely]] defined, owing to unclear cases such as [ | + | Many [[scientific]] [[concepts]] are of [[necessity]] vague, for instance species in [[biology]] cannot be [[precisely]] defined, owing to unclear cases such as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ring_species ring species]. Nonetheless, the concept of species can be clearly applied in the vast [[majority]] of cases. As this example [[illustrates]], to say that a [[definition]] is "vague" is not necessarily a [[criticism]]. Consider those animals in Alaska that are the result of breeding [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sled_dog Huskies] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolf wolves]: are they dogs? It is not clear: they are borderline cases of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dogs dogs]. This means one's ordinary [[concept]] of doghood is not clear enough to let us rule conclusively in this case. |
| − | One [[theoretical]] approach is that of [ | + | One [[theoretical]] approach is that of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuzzy_logic fuzzy logic], developed by American mathematician [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lotfi_Zadeh Lotfi Zadeh]. Fuzzy logic proposes a [[gradual]] [[transition]] between "perfect falsity", for example, the [[statement]] "Bill Clinton is bald", to "perfect truth", for, say, "Patrick Stewart is bald". In [[ordinary]] logics, there are only two [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Truth-value truth-values]: "true" and "false". The fuzzy [[perspective]] differs by introducing an [[infinite]] [[number]] of truth-values along a [[spectrum]] between perfect [[truth]] and perfect [[falsity]]. Perfect truth may be [[represented]] by "1", and perfect falsity by "0". Borderline cases are thought of as having a "truth-value" anywhere between 0 and 1 (for example, 0.6). Advocates of the fuzzy logic approach have included K. F. Machina (1976) and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorothy_Edgington Dorothy Edgington] (1993).[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vagueness] |
[[Category: Logic]] | [[Category: Logic]] | ||
[[Category: Languages and Literature]] | [[Category: Languages and Literature]] | ||
Latest revision as of 02:41, 13 December 2020
Origin
French vague or Latin vagus wandering, inconstant, uncertain, etc
Definitions
- 2a : not clearly defined, grasped, or understood : indistinct <only a vague notion of what's needed>; also : slight <a vague hint of a thickening waistline> <hasn't the vaguest idea>
- b : not clearly felt or sensed : somewhat subconscious <a vague longing>
- 3: not thinking or expressing one's thoughts clearly or precisely <vague about dates and places>
- 4: lacking expression : vacant <vague eyes> <a vague stare>
- 5: not sharply outlined : hazy <met by vague figures with shaded torchlights — Earle Birney>
Description
The term vagueness denotes a property of concepts (especially predicates). A concept is vague:
- if the concept's extension is unclear;
- if there are objects which one cannot say with certainty whether belong to a group of objects which are identified with this concept or which exhibit characteristics that have this predicate (so-called "border-line cases");
- if the Sorites paradox applies to the concept or predicate.
In everyday speech, vagueness is an inevitable, often even desired effect of language usage. However, in most specialized texts (e.g., legal documents), vagueness is distracting and should be avoided whenever possible.
Importance
Vagueness is philosophically important. Suppose one wants to come up with a definition of "right" in the moral sense. One wants a definition to cover actions that are clearly right and exclude actions that are clearly wrong, but what does one do with the borderline cases? Surely, there are such cases. Some philosophers say that one should try to come up with a definition that is itself unclear on just those cases. Others say that one has an interest in making his or her definitions more precise than ordinary language, or his or her ordinary concepts, themselves allow; they recommend one advances precising definitions.
Vagueness is also a problem which arises in law, and in some cases judges have to arbitrate regarding whether a borderline case does, or does not, satisfy a given vague concept. Examples include disability (how much loss of vision is required before one is legally blind?), human life (at what point from conception to birth is one a legal human being, protected for instance by laws against murder?), adulthood (most familiarly reflected in legal ages for driving, drinking, voting, consensual sex, etc.), race (how to classify someone of mixed racial heritage), etc. Even such apparently unambiguous concepts such as gender can be subject to vagueness problems, not just from transsexuals' gender transitions but also from certain genetic conditions which can give an individual both male and female biological traits (see intersexual).
Many scientific concepts are of necessity vague, for instance species in biology cannot be precisely defined, owing to unclear cases such as ring species. Nonetheless, the concept of species can be clearly applied in the vast majority of cases. As this example illustrates, to say that a definition is "vague" is not necessarily a criticism. Consider those animals in Alaska that are the result of breeding Huskies and wolves: are they dogs? It is not clear: they are borderline cases of dogs. This means one's ordinary concept of doghood is not clear enough to let us rule conclusively in this case.
One theoretical approach is that of fuzzy logic, developed by American mathematician Lotfi Zadeh. Fuzzy logic proposes a gradual transition between "perfect falsity", for example, the statement "Bill Clinton is bald", to "perfect truth", for, say, "Patrick Stewart is bald". In ordinary logics, there are only two truth-values: "true" and "false". The fuzzy perspective differs by introducing an infinite number of truth-values along a spectrum between perfect truth and perfect falsity. Perfect truth may be represented by "1", and perfect falsity by "0". Borderline cases are thought of as having a "truth-value" anywhere between 0 and 1 (for example, 0.6). Advocates of the fuzzy logic approach have included K. F. Machina (1976) and Dorothy Edgington (1993).[1]
